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LOS ANGELES COUNTY ELECTIONS; Guesswork Is the Norm When Voting for Judges

[HOME EDITION]

Publication:

Los Angeles Times
- Los Angeles, Calif.

Author:

Garrison, Jessica

Date:

May 28, 2006

Abstract (Document Summary)

On June 6, voters in Los Angeles County will pick judges in eight contested elections. There also are one in Orange County, three in San Diego County and three in San Bernardino County. The ballot may make it appear that judges are running for specific seats, but all judges run countywide.

Another factor in judicial elections, according to consultants, is a person's name. Unusual names can be dicey. Take the case of Abraham Aponte Khan, who was voted out in 1992 -- some say largely because his opponent had the more common name of Patrick Murphy. Later, Murphy resigned from the bench amid questions about his conduct.

One of [Joe Cerrell]'s candidates this spring is the only sitting judge in L.A. County to be challenged in this election -- a well-regarded jurist with the unusual name of Dzintra Janavs.